10 THE AU DU BOW: BU EAr Byieien 
THE ANNUAL MEETING 
by Mrs. James Aldridge* 
In an experiment to see if the prairie chicken could be artificially re- 
established in a selected nesting area, 50 prairie chickens were released 
at the Crabtree Farm Nature Center in Barrington. The experiment 
failed and, at the May 12-14 annual meeting of the Illinois Audubon 
Society, Charles Westcott, Director of the Nature Center, told the group 
that, based on this one try, it was probably not possible to artificially 
re-establish prairie chicken nesting grounds once the grouse has left 
the area. Mr. Westcott also relayed the news that the last prairie chicken 
has now disappeared from Indiana. 
However, IAS members and guests also heard some good news from 
the prairie chicken front. Joseph Galbreath, chairman of the prairie 
chicken committee, reported that 14 broods of grouse were hatched in 
1966 — the best in years. He also reported that a fifth area of 30 acres 
is being sought for purchase, but the funds are still lacking. A $50,000 
sum, noted Mr. Galbreath, has been requested of Governor Otto Kerner 
for the purchase of more nesting grounds, but the Governor stated that 
there is not enough interest in this project to warrent release of any 
funds. Raymond Mostek, president of the IAS, appealed for personal 
contributions saying, “We know positively that we can save the grouse 
if we can save the land.” 
Mr. Westcott’s talk and colored slide presentation and Mr. Galbreath’s 
report were only two of the many highlights of the 70th annual meeting. 
Held at the Leaning Tower YMCA in Niles, Illinois, this year’s get-together 
was hosted by the Audubon Society of Park Ridge. Gertrude Carlson 
served as annual meeting chairman. 
Other highlights of the meeting were: 
® Mrs. Lee Jens, Pesticides Committee Chairman, reported that the 
pesticide picture was improving and that a new attitude prevailed in the 
*The author is a director of the Illinois Audubon Society and lives at 900 Horne Ave., 
Park Ridge, Ill. 
This purple martin house, the door 
prize at the annual meeting, was won 
by Kate Stoley and Dr. Marjorie Carl- 
son. The winners donated the prize 
to the Lighthouse Nature Center in 
Evanston. 
